private schools are deploying tests to produce their GCSE results.

The Telegraph today report that some private schools are deploying tests to produce their GCSE results.

Pupils at the Dame Alice Owen’s School in Potters Bar were told their grades will be based on their performance in unseen papers, in exam conditions in all academic subjects.

Parents concerned that the school’s approach will put their children at a disadvantage compared to their peers elsewhere in the country. Children who are not being asked to take exams.

“My daughter has over 30 hours of exams - these are GCSEs in all but name,” said Raphael Walters, a 44-year-old father.

“With the assessments the exam boards are issuing, students know what will be on them. But these exams are being set by the school so no one knows what will be on them. These children might come out with lower grades.”

Ofqual has said that centre assessed grades, led by teachers will replace exams. However they haven't stipulated that exams and mock exams cannot be used by schools.

Exam boards will publish test papers before pupils take them, after officials decided it was inevitable they would be leaked online if they tried to keep them secret.

Exam boards are preparing a series of test papers for every subject but teachers will be allowed to choose whether or not to use them to inform their predicted grades.

exam candidates will not need to take them under exam conditions and teachers will also have discretion over whether they are taken at home or at school..

Parents have accused the school of setting "GCSEs by the back door".

Complained to the school's headteacher, governors as well as the exam watchdog about their approach to exams.

We say the school is absolutely right to provide exams for their students. -